Waitsfield

Chartered in 1782, Waitsfield lies in the Mad River Valley of Washington County and serves as one of the anchors of a recreational corridor that includes Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen. The village center, clustered along Route 100 and Bridge Street, features a covered bridge that still carries traffic — the Great Eddy Bridge, built in 1833, is one of the oldest in the state still in regular use.

Waitsfield's population of about 1,719 grows substantially during ski season and summer, when visitors arrive for the mountains, the swimming holes, and the valley's farm-to-table dining scene. The Mad River Valley has attracted a creative, independent-minded population. Local businesses, including the famous Warren Store just down the road, reflect that character. Town governance operates through a selectboard, and the annual town meeting in March is where year-round residents make the decisions about budgets and priorities that keep this valley community running.